Bacterial Infection Symptoms

by Shenron

Unlike many illnesses, a bacterial infection can take on so many guises that determining the cause from symptoms is not always accurate, so requiring laboratory analysis from blood samples which need to be sent away before results are known, however certain infections share common symptoms that are worth being aware of, at the very least knowing what to look out for if bacterial infection is suspected.

Bacteria are invisible to the human eye, being single celled microorganisms that can only be seen in a very powerful microscope, making it is impossible to visually spot an infection. Medical professionals are trained to look for symptoms and using a process of elimination, are able to narrow down their prognosis, however even with the best medical encyclopedia this is not always possible at home and can lead to false diagnosis.

The nature of bacterial infections is that symptoms are rarely the same for the various bacterium that can invade the human body. A simple case of diarrhea could be caused by bacteria, or by viruses, parasites, medications, disagreeable foods, or bowel disorders, yet the symptom is almost always similar.

An obvious symptom of bacterial infection relates to illness that just doesn’t seem to heal, for example a sore throat without other symptoms of cold or flu, that persists despite the use of normal pain relief medications. Typically, bacteria infections don’t just go away, the human immune system is rarely strong enough to defeat bacteria because they release toxins that damage surrounding cells thus reducing the effectiveness of white blood cell activity.

Antibacterial medications specific to the bacterium present need to be prescribed and taken for the specified length of time, these go to work attacking the bacteria, allowing the body’s immune system to tackle repairing the damaged cells and clearing away dead bacteria, at the same time lessening the symptoms of bacterial infection.

Common bacterial infections such as sinus, ear, or throat present localized pain and slight swelling, and are easily confused for the onset of cold or flu, however, it is unlikely clear up without treatment. Bacterial infection in the sinus for example will quickly lead to nasal discharge and acute pain in parts of the face or forehead, worsening after only a few days.

Skin problems such as painful acne and boils are also frequently a symptom of a worsening bacterial infection, perhaps caused by frequent washing and subsequent removal of essential oils from the pores of the skin, and may not be identified as such until many days after acne might have been expected to clear, in some cases these leave unsightly scars, yet symptoms are not altogether different from other skin infections.

Notably, symptoms of STDs caused by bacterial infection are fairly obvious since they are so unusual compared with a healthy individual, and range from painful urination, cloudy discharge, and intense pain during intercourse. Understanding what is normal, and noticing signs that are abnormal, is the best defense against bacterial infection, yet given the potential for long term harm, even death, it is always best to see a medical practitioner to confirm the symptoms.